Half of Oxbridge’s 16 wins were against sub-.500 teams. Oxbridge also fell to 0-3 against teams ranked in the Top 10 of the FHSAA Florida South Laxpower.com poll.

“That’s on me,” Ross said of Oxbridge’s schedule. “We didn’t have the strongest schedule because I wanted to see what we had.”

Ross said next season’s schedule will be tougher.

That means facing the likes of programs such as Jupiter, which spent part of the year as the state’s No.1. It means facing area powers like Benjamin and Boca, two teams with a legit shot at winning the state title.

Attaining the goal of a successful program is within reason. Oxbridge has the facilities. A nearly filled stands proves it has the support too. But what helps most of all is the youth Oxbridge has. This was a team filled with freshman and sophomores.

Even Ross admitted when compared to Boca, it showed.

“They were the better team,” Ross said. “You have to hand your hat to them.”

True as that may be, there is a buzz already beginning about next season.

Parents and players lingered around the stadium talking about how good this year was and how much better next year can be.

“Boca is really good,” said one parent in a casual conversation after the game. “But they’re losing 13 seniors next year. We’re not losing anyone.”